When is a thread a "for sale" advert and when is it a "shamless plug"

pns2007

pns2007

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I'm posting this here cause I'm not sure where it should go and the A3 section is the most popular? I know it will be moved fairly soon if not imminently but here goes.

I, like others, have 'advertised' parts I no longer need and which would benefit other members. I have started threads and had them locked, posted in classifieds and linked in threads and also referred to items I've got in threads. (not many I admit but some)

There seems to be some inconsistency on what is allowed, what pushes the rules to the limit (shamless plug) and what is acceptable. Dave (h5djr) a moderator - has done this and has at least raised the debate but nothing appears to have come from it (not in public anyway).

What's prompted this post by me is that I have just seen a posting in the general automotive thread which has been started by a new member (2 posts) and reads:-

I have a prvate plate I have on retention for sale and it needs to go
Click to expand...

This is clearly imho a "for sale" action and no link to classifieds has been mentioned, a moderator has edited it and the thread has not been locked or deleted.

I've seen other posts where members are saying I'm selling my ....... how much is it worth - clearly a notification that they have something for sale or are putting on notice an item which I presume will create interest so that they can sell it. Also other quotes such as just got a new set of wheels, my 18" RS4's are now for sale.

I have no problem with any of these personally but it doesn't appear to be being policed fairly.

I've had a look at the following post:-

http://http://audi-sport.net/vb/announcement.php?f=58

which list the rules but the relevant wording applies to commercial interests only. If there is a more comprehensive set of rules, they should be clearly advertised (unless I'm missing something)

I'm not having a go in any way, just wanting to start a reasonable debate and perhaps prompt the powers that be to react.

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=82761&highlight=rules

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=82007&highlight=rules

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=80359&highlight=rules

Using the Classifieds section would be the best idea.
Click to expand...

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=83803&highlight=sale

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=83629&highlight=sale

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=83287&highlight=sale

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=58244&highlight=sale

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=82742&highlight=sale


:undwech::undwech::undwech::undwech::undwech:

:drag:
 
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As long as you place your car/services or parts in the classified section or piston heads etc, we have no problem with you opening a new thread with a link to said advert. As a sort of heads up/ discussion etc.
Thanks
Stacey
 
pns2007 said:
I'm posting this.....
Click to expand...

A very good post, and echoes what a lot of people are thinking I am sure.

Purple Princess said:
As long as you place your car/services or parts in the classified section or piston heads etc, we have no problem with you opening a new thread with a link to said advert. As a sort of heads up/ discussion etc.
Thanks
Stacey
Click to expand...

Ok so the "policy" is that as long as the for sale thread on here is duplicating Pistonheads, classified section, etc. then it's ok?

Maybe the "etc." needs clarifying...
 
The biggest issue I see currently with the current Classified section is way the categories are set.

Cars for sale is fine - it covers the different models (albeit A3 8L and 8P could use separating).

But why split parts into part types rather than car types? I'm sure a lot of people would browse if all relevant parts for their model were together, but you have to currently ignore 90% of what's in there and it makes it almost unusable.
 
Mark I think we should hold off on this temporarily because we're not singing off the same song sheet. That'll only cause confusion.
 
I linked to my original post to several threads which are all different in their own special way. :ohmy:

Take the one by Dave (h5djr) no lock, no link, allowed to run its course

thread number 82007 - an advert which was clearly discussed by moderators but not locked

thread 80359 - a question asked and no clear definition given by a moderator

thread 83803 - started 5 hours ago (several moderators have posted during this time) thread not locked

thread 83629 - locked

thread 83287 - clear 'for sale' advert, price included in thread later on, no direct links but post still open

thread 58244 - no links to classifieds or other web site, but openly selling wiring looms

thread 82742 - clearly a for sale advert and Mark (Byzan A4) you have commented in the thread but not locked it

I'm not going to go on any more, but these posts are ones I found in a very short search

I am trying to help you here. Maybe i should not bother and just lock them all..
Click to expand...

this isn't helpful and just impress the draconian nature of the forum sometimes

Now back on topic, shall i move this to general automotive, or leave it here?
Click to expand...

place it where it should go please. I didn't know where!!
 
Yipee, someone else who has seen this. I had the very same issue when I came to selling my A4. I had my thread locked almost straight away, but there we're others who were shamelessly pushing a sale with out actually putting a price on something and getting away scot free !!!!
 
Just be patient please mate. I understand why you're frustrated and you've highlighted the problem very well, which I'm glad about.

We'll get back to you all ASAP.
 
Hmmm, not sure I like the new streamlined version of this thread...
 
and sorry, not meaning to be an anarchist, but why has a moderator deleted his posts with no evidence of ever having posted in a thread. Sorry Mark but thats a little off, stand up and be counted.

(Nothing personal my friend - just to keep it calm)
 
auroan said:
Yipee, someone else who has seen this. I had the very same issue when I came to selling my A4. I had my thread locked almost straight away, but there we're others who were shamelessly pushing a sale with out actually putting a price on something and getting away scot free !!!!
Click to expand...


I think that's called favoritism or iff your not in " the inner circle " ...lol i got mine deleted the other day ?? Putting it on autotrader next week i think ...
 
pns2007 said:
and sorry, not meaning to be an anarchist, but why has a moderator deleted his posts with no evidence of ever having posted in a thread. Sorry Mark but thats a little off, stand up and be counted.

(Nothing personal my friend - just to keep it calm)
Click to expand...

I can understand why somebody may wish to delete their own post - in this case as none of the mods clearly agree on what is acceptable - but no need to delete my posts!

If the rest of us post something, change our mind, but in the meantime this post gets commented on, then those comments stand.
 
I have to say that if someone is selling something for an 8p then it should be on the 8p thread so we can all see it...
There is a danger that a site like this could become too unwieldy to be of interest to a lot of readers if you sub divide the categories to many times.

Just my opinion and in no way a criticism of any one or any thing !:yes: It would take you hours to go through all the threads/sub threads/sub sub threads each day
 
paddy said:
I have to say that if someone is selling something for an 8p then it should be on the 8p thread so we can all see it...
There is a danger that a site like this could become too unwieldy to be of interest to a lot of readers if you sub divide the categories to many times.

Just my opinion and in no way a criticism of any one or any thing !:yes: It would take you hours to go through all the threads/sub threads/sub sub threads each day
Click to expand...

I'm sure the admin / moderators are only interested in what works best for the members of the forum. Maybe they should ask some of us what we think?

If the overall consensus is that we're happy to see 8P stuff advertised in the 8P forum, then who is it hurting? Would be a good time for a poll...
 
auroan said:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=82502

The above is pretty much what my ad was like. Has that been touched ? Has it hell. And I know damn well the mod that locked mine frequents that sub forum a lot.
Click to expand...

It's probably irrelevant and unhelpful, but the following pic should soften the blow....

spad_moderator.jpg
 
lmfao, nearly regurgitated my food, lol
 
Ok the thread posted above has been closed.

For the record yes we are only interested in what's best for the users. There are currently things in development but it's a slow process.

Even with the current mod confusion we're all agreed that 'for sale' threads are not allowed on the site so please feel free to click that 'report post' button to alert us.
 
Byzan A4 said:
PW motorsports are paid advertisers/sponsors that's the difference, and yes i do frequent the B5 forum as i own one , I have never hidden that fact.
Click to expand...

Yes but PW sell wheels and not cars.
 
I'm not having a go at the moderators per se, just the system really. A moderators job must in some respects be quite difficult un-paid work. They are vital to keep the forum working legally and efficiently.

Quote from Factionone

http://http://audi-sport.net/vb/announcement.php?f=42

I will recruit new members of the team periodically and as conditions dictate. Recommendations are welcome, these should be by PM to me, and should include a brief explanation of why you think the name you're putting forward would be suitable. Please do not send a torrent of recommendations - nominations should be seen as something more precious than your last Rolo, your Cherry, whatever, you get the picture. Self-nominations will not be successful.
Click to expand...

Its not self nominated :friends:

I'm glad to see that this has raised a sensible debate, please all keep it that way. Lets get it sorted. I'm all in favour of regular and established members posting "for sale" adverts but not one trip wonders who use the forum for their own gains. Its a community :salute:

:respekt: to all the moderators
 
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warning triangle top right of each post
 
After looking for a while I found it just after my previous post

Click to expand...

For those who are not sure. Not very clear though!
 
I dont see any reason to have any for sale threads in any of the normal forums,think they should all be in the classified section but that needs sorting and old items removed or unsold removed after x time and then readvertised if required.
When a member of another forum it was £5 membership fee which allowed you to use the for sale section.
 
Hows about ditching the classifieds section and then having a 'For Sale' sub forum with a couple of sections A3, A4, A5 etc etc then a non-audi section then a section for carparts and then a section for everything else. When someone wants to sell something rather than place an advert they can start a thread BUT every two weeks or when a thread is two weeks old it gets deleted, if the item didnt sell then the seller can relist the item or ask a Mod not to delete it.

This way has the benefit that it will be regulary cleared up (no dead/sold long ago items) and if someone has a question about an item/car then they can ask in public via the relevant thread advert.

I can see why this point has been brought up but in defense of the mods, there are no rules set in stone for moderating, some mods might have a passive outlook on adverts and others might be a stickler for organisation, Ive never noticed people on this forum or the mods to be 'clicky' though.
 
The reason most people post for sale in the forum...like the guy selling the TTS vents last week is, as he said, no one reads the classifieds and most of the stuff there is way out of date. Why not have a sticky for sale at the top of the forum page like the "post your e-bay finds" thread. which is in effect a for sale thread anyway.
 
You're allowed to post links to your classifieds sale in that same thread Paddy. We recognise that the classifieds isn't the best and it's currently under review for an update. Posting a link in that thread means you get a bit of publicity too. Chat is allowed there also :icon_thumright:
 
On the forum of a club I used to be President of (FSOC) we had a section for sale and wanted, under each heading was cars wanted cars for sale, parts wanted parts for sale.
And if you used the search function you can filter your results :icon_thumright:

The only stipulation was that it had to have a price. That ruled out the old "how much is it worth" type scenario. If something was also for sale on eBay then only a link was allowed. We used to have a new member 10 post minimum before selling something but it got to be too much hassle.
 
unkle said:
Hows about ditching the classifieds section and then having a 'For Sale' sub forum with a couple of sections A3, A4, A5 etc etc then a non-audi section then a section for carparts and then a section for everything else. When someone wants to sell something rather than place an advert they can start a thread BUT every two weeks or when a thread is two weeks old it gets deleted, if the item didnt sell then the seller can relist the item or ask a Mod not to delete it.

This way has the benefit that it will be regulary cleared up (no dead/sold long ago items) and if someone has a question about an item/car then they can ask in public via the relevant thread advert.
Click to expand...

:icon_thumright:
 
sidibear said:
On the forum of a club I used to be President of (FSOC) we had a section for sale and wanted, under each heading was cars wanted cars for sale, parts wanted parts for sale.
And if you used the search function you can filter your results :icon_thumright:

The only stipulation was that it had to have a price. That ruled out the old "how much is it worth" type scenario. If something was also for sale on eBay then only a link was allowed. We used to have a new member 10 post minimum before selling something but it got to be too much hassle.
Click to expand...

Which bit was too much hassle mate?
 
New members whinged and so did the existing members. When we repealed it, new members were just signing up to the forum to flog stuff, which then wound up the existing members. We just couldn't please both sides.
It was left as anyone could post stuff for sale as long as it had a price and has now quietned down.
(I ran the FSOC for three years until I stood down in September)
 
unkle said:
Hows about ditching the classifieds section and then having a 'For Sale' sub forum with a couple of sections A3, A4, A5 etc etc then a non-audi section then a section for carparts and then a section for everything else. When someone wants to sell something rather than place an advert they can start a thread BUT every two weeks or when a thread is two weeks old it gets deleted, if the item didnt sell then the seller can relist the item or ask a Mod not to delete it.

This way has the benefit that it will be regulary cleared up (no dead/sold long ago items) and if someone has a question about an item/car then they can ask in public via the relevant thread advert.

I can see why this point has been brought up but in defense of the mods, there are no rules set in stone for moderating, some mods might have a passive outlook on adverts and others might be a stickler for organisation, Ive never noticed people on this forum or the mods to be 'clicky' though.
Click to expand...

Don't you take credit for this, I have already suggested something similar for the next forum upgrade, so watch this space! :superman:
 
for someone who managed to find all those links I find the comment above amusing lol
Click to expand...


and me :yahoo:

I genuinely couldn't find it at the time though :haudrauf:

But the "search" function I've always been told is your friend :friends:

I realise I've probably made no friends from this post but I feel it had to be discussed:cold:
 
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